Albion Rovers FC is facing significant disruption after an encampment of more than 20 caravans and vehicles occupied its Kimberley Park grounds in Newport, Wales, last Wednesday. The club, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this season, has been forced to cancel all training sessions and matches, including for its senior and girls' teams. The club is incurring additional costs, hiring an alternative 3G pitch at a school for £110 per hour.
Club secretary Sarah Yemm expressed concern for the safety of club members, stating it has become too dangerous to access the grounds due to the increasing number of travelers. "It's been really stressful because we've had to cancel all the training, including the seniors," Yemm said. "Obviously, we wouldn't want the children or the senior players down there training because more and more caravans were coming in. It was too dangerous."
The club alleges that council contractors left the gates to the grounds unlocked, facilitating the arrival of the vehicles. "We've gone to the council because it's their issue," Yemm stated, emphasizing that the club's staff are volunteers and are diligent about securing the premises. "It was the council that left the locks off the low and overhead barriers because there were contractors working on the pitch, but they didn't put the specialised padlocks back on."
Beyond the operational impact, the encampment has also affected the club's revenue streams. Albion Rovers FC relies on income from its clubhouse and a pavilion coffee shop, neither of which can be used while the travelers occupy the grounds. The site has also been left with substantial amounts of rubbish and human waste, raising concerns about the pitch's fitness for play.
This incident is not isolated. Similar events have occurred at other football clubs, including Thetford Town Youth FC in Norfolk and Ludgvan Lions Junior Football Club in Cornwall. Burgess Hill Cricket Club in East Sussex also experienced travelers setting up camp on their grounds.
Newport City Council has stated that it is still investigating the incident and the claims regarding the unlocked gates. Yemm also noted a past incident over 10 years ago where travelers occupied the site, describing it as a hostile experience.
